The Portland daily press., 1887-01-29
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
THE WAGES OF sIN.

''The Wages of Sin" Is well constructed
melodrama, exceedingly interesting, depend
Ing IN a great measure for success on the
scene painter and stage carpenter, but more
on its strong human interest, quick action,
clever climaxes and literary merit. IL has
been a success with English theatre-goers
for three years past and has proved as pop
ular as "fhe Ticket of Leave man." Its
story teaches good moral lesson. The plot
Is somewhat conventional, but nevertheless
interesting. Ruth Is an estimable girl who
loves George Brand, curate. The villain Of
the play, in order to obtain Ruth's hand and
money induces her by a lie TO discard the Gu
rate. From this moment begins her life Of
misery. We follow her up to London 10 see
her In poverty, abused by drunken scamp.
Her child suffers for want Of medicine, and
she Is driven, In desperation, to commit a
crime to save its life. Throughout this dis
tressing experience the love and tenderness
Of the curate follow her until. IN the last act,
the coil Of the law gets around the villain,
and she Is finally rescued
Mr.. Stephen Maubury as Rev, stephen
Brand. created an excellent impression. He
Is good actor, with q rich voice and excel
lent stage presence. His strongest scene was
that in the fourth act, when he prevents the
escape Of stephen Marler, the villain, a role
admirably assumed by Mr.. Wilson. Miss
Wardell was very effective as Ruth" while
Miss LeBarron as "Julianna, was very
bright and charming Miss LIE Barron Is an
Augusta girl. Mr.. Kahn was an excellent
Josiah Dean, the old mill owner, and the
other parts were well taken. The audience
was evidently delighted, and applauded
heartily throughout the performance. The
piece was well staged and the new orchestral
selections were admirably interpreted by
Grimmer's orchestra. The play win be re-
peated tonight.
THE DEVILS AUCTION.
Monday and Tuesday next, the spectacular
ballet Of "The DEVILS Auction" will be pro-
duced by Gilmore's great company at Port
land Theatre, and the advance sale of tick
cts yesterday was very large. The Balti-
more News says: "The production can
Devils Auction" seen here last season, for
1t has undergone changes that amount 10
thorough reconstruction. Every feature Of
the performance Is marked by a change, and
the alterations constitute an immense i'm
pr0vement. The premiers and ballets met
with great favor and were simply grand.
The cont0rtl0nist Is very fine, the aer0bats
marvellous and the costumes gorgeous. The
spectacular portion Of ",rhe Devils Auction"
is grand, and Is the best on the road"
NOTES.
Harry w. French's lecture on ireland
and the Irish" will draw a great crowd TO
City Hall next Tuesday night. The pictures
are superb, and Mr.. French's lecture absorb
ingly interesting. Tickets can be procured
at Stoekbridge's.
There is great desire TO hear Mr.. Giese,
the "king Of violincellists," again. He will
appear In the Stockbridge entertainment
next Wednesday.
At the close Of the entertainment by the
Deering Village Improvement Association
Thursday evening, there were so many Of
the audience desir0us Of seeing II again that
the management has decided to repeat IL to-
night.
The Rossini Club win give concert this
evening at Rossini Hall. Tickets can be OBJ
tanned from the members and at the door.
Miss Georgia May Latham, who viii ap-
pear in the Stoekbridge course, Is a native Of
Peaks Island, and has been singing In New
York. Miss Ida M Brown Is "a daughter Of
Mr.. Luke M. Brown Of Bridgton.